Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm all over the country. 

Shivaratri literally means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva. Falling on the 13th or the 14th day of the dark half of Hindu month of ‘Falgun’ which corresponds to the period between February & March, this festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Commemorating the marriage of Lord Shiva. 

The Shivratri festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva/Vilvam leaves asnd water to Lord Shiva. All through the day the devotees, chant the sacred Mahamrityunjaya Mantra dedicated to Lord "Om Namah Shivaya". 

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

Om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam

urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt

त्रयम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् म्रुत्योर्मुक्षिय मामृतात् ॥

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Baijnath

The main attraction of Baijnath is an ancient Shiva Temple. According to legend, it is believed that during the Treta Yuga, Ravana invincible powers have worshiped Lord Shiva in the Kailash. In the process, to please the powerful offered his ten heads in Havana kund. Under the affect of this extra ordinary fact of Ravana, Lord Shiva not only restored his heads, but also gave powers of invincibility and immortality.

In this unique gift, Ravana also requested Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Shiva granted the request of Ravana and converted himself into Shivling.The Lord Shiva asked him to carry the Shivling and told him that he should not place the Shivling down on the ground on his way. Ravana began to move south towards Lanka and reached Baijnath where he felt the need to respond to the call of nature. On seeing a shepherd, Ravana handed over the Shivling to him and went to seek relief from it. On finding the Shivling very heavy, shepherd kept the ling on the ground and the Shivling got established there and the same is in the form of Ardhnarishwar (God in form of Half Male & Half Female).   

In the town of  Baijnath, Dussehra festival in which traditionally the effigy of Ravana is consigned to the flames is not celebrated as a mark of respect to the devotion of Ravana towards Lord Shiva. Another interesting aspect of the town of Baijnath is that there are no shops of goldsmiths.

History : The history of the ancient Temple of  Baijnath is confusing and the two long inscriptions on the walls of the mandapa of the temple gives us account of the temple. The temple was built in Saka 1126 (CE 1204) by two brothers Manyuka and Ahuka in devolution to Lord Vaidyanatha. The inscriptions tell us that a Shivling known as Vaidyanatha already existed in the same place, but was without a home so the present temple and a porch in its front was constructed. British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham has an enrollment of 1786 in the temple, referring to its renovations by King Sansara Chandra. An  inscription on the wooden doors of the sanctum of the temple provides the date as samvat 1840 (AD 1783) that is very near to  Cunningham’s date. The devastating earthquake that shook the entire region of Kangra, on April 4, 1905 also caused damage to the sanctuary, which has been informed by Mr. J. Ph. Vogel and has since been repaired. Today the temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, but the performance of worship and rituals are conducted by a local council in Baijnath with SDM as its Chairman. The hereditary priests continue to receive a portion of the offerings.

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History Of Baijnath

Baijnath is a town in Kangra district of  Himachal Pradesh. It is approximately sixteen (16) kilometres from Palampur. Baijnath is famous for its 13th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath, ‘The Lord of Physicians’. It is originally known as Kirgrama. The baijnath town lies on Pathankot-Manali highway NH - 20 (National Highway No. 20). It is midway between Kangra and Mandi. The present name Baijnath became popular after the name of the temple. The baijnath town is located on the left bank of the river Binwa. The name Binwa is a corrupt form of ancient Binduka, a tributary of river Beas. The Baijnath temple has been continuously under worship ever since its construction in 1204 A.D. by two local merchants named Ahuka and Manyuka.

Baijnath temple attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year. Special prayers are offered in the morningtime and evening time every day besides on special occasions and during festive seasons. Makara Sankranti, Maha Shivaratri, Vaisakha Sankranti, Shravana Mondays, etc. are celebrated with great eagerness and brilliancy. A five day state level function is held here on Maha Shivratri every year.


Baijnath Temple :

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